The Obama Presidency in Photos

But supporters of the public option aren’t deterred. They welcome forcing on-the-fence Democratic lawmakers to show their cards on the issue in front of core liberal interest groups, according to The New York Times.

Supporters are also expected to keep pressing the case for a public option when the bill is reconciled with a more liberal bill from the Health Committee. “Just bringing up this issue in the Finance Committee has helped to revitalize the overall push for it,” Brian Fallon, a spokesman for Sen. Chuck Schumer told the Times. “Its chances only get better from here.”

Just Your Average Joe-Bama

Meanwhile, more than a dozen states are already voting to outlaw another crucial component of any bill that emerges from Congress: that each American sign up for health insurance or pay a fine, the Times reports.